Canine Behavior/are dog salivas safe for humans?

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Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 11/26/2014

Questioni wander why some dog owners wash their whole face and hands with soap once they touch their pet dog? i do it only before eating...is touching a dog and then handling something that is eatable not good for health? sud i wash my hand evertime i touch my dog?
plz advice.

AnswerI do not wash my hands every time I pet my dog UNLESS I am going to eat, but then my dog lives indoors, is groomed by me every 2 to 3 weeks, and is not in a situation to roll in interesting poop (as some dogs will), etc. Now: the mouth of a dog contains deadly bacteria but not as deadly as the mouth of a human! If a dog BITES you (with puncture wounds), then you need antibiotic treatment (just as a human bite would require such). However, our immune systems are strong. Overly washing your hands (especially with anti-bacterial soap) is not a good idea (unless you have been in public places and want to be free of a virus "going around"). I've never gotten sick from petting, hugging, touching any dog (and I have done that thousands of times). Just use common sense, keep your dog healthy and out of "trouble" (off the streets) and you should be just fine. You might want to ask this question of your physician, also.

Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. I have answered more than 5,000 QUESTIONS on this site in the past (almost) eight years. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. I am personally acquainted with my colleagues (Turid Rugaas, Ian Dunbar, etc.) who were members of an elite group in EGroups that I founded: K9Shrinks. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Past/Present ClientsBoard of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc.
Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society
My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.